In the wonderful land of odds, the spread for Penn State football’s Nov. 2 clash with Ohio State is out.
Although Penn State is the higher-ranked team (No. 3 vs. No. 4) and has the better record (7-0 vs. 6-1), Ohio State started the season ranked six places higher than Penn State (No. 2 vs. No. 8).
Additionally, Ohio State’s only blemish is a one-point loss at Oregon, which is now ranked No. 1, and for these reasons, Ohio State is an early 4.5-point favorite per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Penn State, although impressive, has not played anybody near Oregon’s caliber, so it’d be fair to assume that if Ohio State and Penn State switched schedules, Penn State would a loss and Ohio State wouldn’t.
There’s also the history factor.
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James Franklin and Penn State take on Ohio State in a top ten matchup.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State has played Ohio State 10 times since James Franklin took over as coach in 2014. Of those 10 games, Penn State has won just one— the famous “block six” in 2016. Although Penn State has played Ohio State close far more often than not— five of the 10 games have been decided by possession one way or the other— Ohio State almost always wins. It’s hard to say how much Vegas values history when setting lines for current matchups but it’s also hard to believe that it doesn’t play a factor. Quite frankly, Franklin hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to playing Ohio State. Until Penn State beats OSU, odds are most people won’t believe it can.
WILL DREW PLAY?
Drew Allar would finish the day 18 for 42 with 191 yards and one touchdown pass. (Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now).
A big storyline going into Saturday’s game is whether Penn State QB Drew Allar will be healthy enough to play. He got hurt late in the first half at Wisconsin and didn’t return. If Allar can’t go, Beau Pribula is Penn State’s likely starter. Pribula went 11-for-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown in relief of Allar.
Regardless of who starts for Penn State against Ohio State, the game is scheduled to kickoff at noon on FOX.
